ABSTRACT
Technologyadoption in garlic production in the central zone of Chile: comparison between two groups of farmers, in 1982 and in 1987

Agustín Aljaro U.1
 

In order to evaluate the level of technology of garlic plantings in the central zone of Chile, during 1982/83 and 1987/88, La Platina Exp. Sta. (INIA) carried out this research. The first season, five farmers of the VI Region (Llay- Llay) were selected. The second season, also five farmers were selected, but from a wider geographical zone: Regions V, VI and Metropolitan. Through management guides previously designed, different factors were evaluated. Yield and bulb quality was analysed, based on samples taken from each farm and compared with the potential, shown by INIA. Export yield (bulbs > 3.7 and > 4.5 cm diameter, in 1982 and 1987, respectively), was bellow the experimental potential (11.2 ton/ha), reaching only 18% (2.0 ton/ha) and 41.5% (4.7 ton/ha) of that potential, respectively, in the first and the second survey. The improvement in technology, observed between 1982 and 1987, is a response to the availability of new and better varieties, better plant density and distribution, seed selection (bulbs and cloves), use of fertilizers, and sanitary aspects, including weed and nematodes (Dytilenchus dipsaci) control. AII these topics were studied and extended by La Platina, during the previous seasons.

Keywords:
1 Estación Experimental La Platina (lNIA), Casilla 439, Correo 3, Santiago, Chile.